Dividends

Smith & Nephew plc has paid dividends on its Ordinary Shares in each year since 1937.

An interim dividend in respect of each fiscal year is normally declared in August and paid in October. A final dividend for each year is recommended by the Board of Directors in the following February and paid in May after approval by shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting. Following the change in functional currency to US Dollars (in 2005), dividends are declared in US Dollars with an equivalent amount in Sterling payable to those shareholders whose registered address is in the UK, or who have validly elected to receive Sterling dividends.

Dividend timetable

As announced on 8 February 2018 a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017 of 22.7 US cents per Ordinary Share has been declared by the Board and will be paid on 9 May 2018 to shareholders whose name appeared on the register at close of business on 6 April 2018. Those shareholders whose address on the register is in the UK, and those who have validly elected to receive sterling dividends, will receive their dividend in Sterling at a rate of 16.24 pence per Ordinary Share.

Shareholders who wish their dividends to be paid directly into a bank account or building society account and have not already completed a mandate form should contact the Company’s registrar Computershare.

American Depositary Shares ("ADS") will trade ex-dividend on the New York Stock Exchange from 5 April 2018. Holders of ADSs on the register at close of business on 6 April 2018 will receive a dividend of 45.4 cents per ADS on 9 May 2018.

Dividend Re-Investment Plan

The Plan allows holders of Ordinary Shares the opportunity to use their cash dividend to acquire additional shares in Smith & Nephew plc, which are bought in the market at competitive dealing costs. The Plan is administered by Computershar, our Registrars.

Our depositary bank (Deutsche Bank) administers a DB Global Direct plan, which allows holders to reinvest dividends paid on ADRs. New and existing holders may also use this service to buy and sell ADRs.

Payment direct into your bank account

Shareholders can reduce the risk of cheques getting lost in the post and receive cleared funds sooner by having their dividends paid electronically direct into their bank account. Shareholders should contact Computersahre, our Registrars, for a form of mandate (see contact details above).

American Depositary Shares

Holders of American Depositary Shares ("ADS") evidenced by American Depositary Receipts ("ADR") are eligible for all dividends or other entitlements attaching to the underlying shares of Smith & Nephew plc and receive all cash dividends in US Dollars.

ADSs will trade ex-dividend on the New York Stock Exchange from 29 March 2017. Holders of ADSs on the register at close of business on 31 March 2017 will receive a dividend of 37.0 US cents per ADS on 10 May 2017.